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Thread: My Great Greek Moments Part 2. Following my Grandfather.

  1. #1

    Default My Great Greek Moments Part 2. Following my Grandfather.

    This family photo my mother had presented me among many others one day have been always drawing my attention.
    My grandfather Antoni Szymczewski stands in the very centre, among other Polish soldiers dressed in civil clothes on their way from Poland (1939) through Romania (where he left his wife and daughter - my mother) in safety (later they saild to Tel-Aviv), Greece, France to Great Britain where he joined !st Polish Armoured Div. that fought near Falaise (bit that is another story).
    This particular photo was taken on "March 7th, 1940, Greece" as my grandpa wrote on the back of it (later he sent it to my grandmother on exile). I never knew my grandpa (he died when I was one).
    The arrow points at the Temple.




    What made me curious was - where? Where in Greece? Seeing the temple in the background mad eme think - Athens, obviously.
    So when we made a trip to Athens last week I took the photo with me and asked our guide: "could you please tell me where the picture might have been taken?"
    She answered smiling: "Of course I know the place! Areopag mountain and the Hephaistos' Temple in the back! We'll be there tomorrow!"
    And she took us there, I found the rocks they stood upon, showed the photo to accompanying tourists and told the story. Can't tell you how moved I was.
    Here I am with my daughter Michelle, Antoni Szymczewski's grand-granddaughter.

    <img src=http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/image.php?type=sigpic&userid=2554&dateline=1409073309 border=0 alt= />
    "We do not stop playing when we get old, but we get old when we stop playing."

  2. #2

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    Moving indeed. What a wonderful memory trip!

  3. #3

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    Superb story, and what a great thing to be able to do.
    Run for your life - there are stupid people everywhere!

  4. #4

    matt56's Avatar May you forever fly in blue skies.
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    Very cool, indeed, Andy! Lovely that you are 'following in footsteps', as it were. And it's always nice for us vicarious travelers to see where you are in the world... Have a wonderful time!

    All the best,
    Matt

  5. #5

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    You were so fortunate to meet that woman. Fate perhaps.


    I'm learning to fly, but I ain't got wings
    Coming down is the hardest thing

  6. #6

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    Wow - a true historic place!
    Voilŕ le soleil d'Austerlitz!

  7. #7

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    Amazing, Andy. I got goosebumps myself reading about your finding the exact spot so many years later.

  8. #8

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    Thats a special moment indeed. Great to have a new photograph to pass on. Maybe someday you, your daughter and your grand child(ren) will visit the same spot?

  9. #9

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    Quote Originally Posted by Stumptonian View Post
    Amazing, Andy. I got goosebumps myself reading about your finding the exact spot so many years later.
    Pete! Thanks for a new word goosebumps!
    <img src=http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/image.php?type=sigpic&userid=2554&dateline=1409073309 border=0 alt= />
    "We do not stop playing when we get old, but we get old when we stop playing."

  10. #10

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    Quote Originally Posted by Teaticket View Post
    Thats a special moment indeed. Great to have a new photograph to pass on. Maybe someday you, your daughter and your grand child(ren) will visit the same spot?
    What a plan! I must tell her!
    <img src=http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/image.php?type=sigpic&userid=2554&dateline=1409073309 border=0 alt= />
    "We do not stop playing when we get old, but we get old when we stop playing."

  11. #11

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    Great story Andy. Good to hear that you found the spot and stood where your grandfather and the other hero stood.

  12. #12

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    Amazing and very moving, Andrzej. To be able to do this is absolutely incredible.

    Karl
    It is impossible for a man to begin to learn what he thinks he knows. -- Epictetus

  13. #13

    Smile

    A wonderful thing you were able to do Andy & to pass on the history to your daughter.
    My eldest daughter Jennifer-Anne was able to stand on the ANZAC Beach at Gallipoli on Anzac Day in 2015, 100 years after her Grandfather (My Father) landed. The photo shows her holding his photo on the day.

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	Daughter Jenny at Gallipoli.jpg 
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  14. #14

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    Very touching story! Stories

  15. #15

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    Quite something to be able to follow the steps of our forefathers.

    "He is wise who watches"

  16. #16

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    Quote Originally Posted by gully_raker View Post
    A wonderful thing you were able to do Andy & to pass on the history to your daughter.
    My eldest daughter Jennifer-Anne was able to stand on the ANZAC Beach at Gallipoli on Anzac Day in 2015, 100 years after her Grandfather (My Father) landed. The photo shows her holding his photo on the day.

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	Daughter Jenny at Gallipoli.jpg 
Views:	32 
Size:	219.8 KB 
ID:	267278
    This is so moving. Moreover, getting to that place is not a usual tourist route, I know that.
    <img src=http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/image.php?type=sigpic&userid=2554&dateline=1409073309 border=0 alt= />
    "We do not stop playing when we get old, but we get old when we stop playing."

  17. #17

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    What an amazing thing to have found the location that the picture was taken! And great to be able to share that experience with your daughter as well! Thanks for sharing this with the group.

  18. #18

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    Awesome, Andy!

    I have probably passed over places my uncles have travelled when they were in the Canadian Army in WWII, both when I lived in France and Germany in the '60s, and again when I was in the Air Force in Europe in the '80s. However, I didn't, and don't, have pictures from them when they were there. Darn. Connections lost.

    Great that you could recreate the photo, and walk the same ground.
    Mike
    "Flying is learning to throw yourself at the ground and miss" Douglas Adams
    "Wings of Glory won't skin your elbows and knees while practicing." OldGuy59

  19. #19

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    thats really cool to see the then and now!



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